Middle Tennessee State has already won more games in 2012 (three) than it did in 2011 (two). If Cunningham carries momentum from this game into the Sun Belt schedule, then the Blue Raiders could go bowling for the third time since 2009.

On an Oregon offense loaded with playmakers, Kenjon Barner was the star in the Ducks’ Week 5 win against Washington State.

Barner—No. 8 nationally in yards from scrimmage (716) and No. 3 nationally in touchdowns from scrimmage (10) and points (60)—showed why he is one of the most dangerous players in college football with the rock in his hands.

Defensive Lineman: Will Sutton (No. 35/32 Arizona State)

Will Sutton accounted for nearly half of Arizona State’s activity behind the line of scrimmage in its Week 5 win against California. Sutton recorded four of the 10 tackles for loss, and three of the seven sacks, generated by the Sun Devils defense.

California quarterback Zach Maynard completed only 32.1 percent of his passes, and Arizona State’s defensive line pressure—led by Sutton—greatly contributed to Maynard’s ineffectiveness.

Defensive Lineman: Travis Johnson (NR/No. 39 San Jose State)

Travis Johnson could be the best pass-rusher in college football through Week 5. Johnson leads FBS in both tackles for loss (12) and sacks (eight).

San Jose State’s defense held Navy’s triple-option offense to just 144 yards on 51 plays (2.8 yards per play).

The Spartans’ weak strength of schedule, I believe, has hurt their chances of receiving more Top 25 votes. At the very least, voters and college football followers alike should not overlook Johnson’s outstanding performance.

Defensive Lineman: Quanterus Smith (Western Kentucky)

Quanterus Smith got three sacks against Alabama in Week 2 and 3.5 sacks against Arkansas State in Week 5. This means Smith has shown an ability to bring down the quarterbacks of two elite offensive minds.

Alabama’s Doug Nussmeier has experience coaching quarterbacks in the NFL and in BCS-caliber programs, and Arkansas State’s Gus Malzahn led Auburn's offense to the BCS National Championship for the 2010 season. Smith has figured out both of them in 2012.

Western Kentucky walked away from Week 5 without a single Top 25 vote in either poll, despite being 4-1 and only losing to Alabama. The Hilltoppers lead the Sun Belt, though, and Smith’s pass-rushing prowess has helped get them to the top of the conference.

Linebacker: Maalik Bomar (No. 26/23 Cincinnati)

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Week 5 Result: 27-24 W vs. NR/No. 41 Virginia Tech

Week 5 Stats: 16 tackles, 1 pass defended

Though Cincinnati was technically the home team in its Week 5 win against Virginia Tech, the game was played at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. Therefore, Virginia Tech really had the home-field advantage, and that makes Maalik Bomar’s performance more impressive.

The Bearcats and the Hokies played this game down to the wire, but Cincinnati narrowly won the yardage and turnover battles. Every one of Bomar’s 16 tackles was important to the game’s outcome.

Cincinnati finds itself in the Big East championship discussion yet again, and as the No. 2 tackler on the team through Week 5, expect Bomar to be a big part of its defense all season.

Houston, meanwhile, allows 488.0 yards per game and 34.2 points per game. In 2011, the defense fared better, but when Case Keenum and Kevin Sumlin were orchestrating the No. 1 scoring offense in FBS, the unit did not have to shoulder as much of the load.

Linebacker: Eddie Johnson (No. 36/33 Miami (FL))

In football, defenses are asked to help out their offenses. Eddie Johnson, as a defensive player, was more like a secret weapon for the Miami (FL) offense in its Week 5 win against North Carolina State. Johnson generated two of the Hurricanes’ four forced fumbles—all of which they recovered.

NC State outgained their ACC rivals, but the Wolfpack lost the turnover and penalties battles by significant margins. Miami (FL)—including its defense, led in part by Johnson—forced the Wolfpack to make enough mistakes to cost them the game in the final moments.

Like Maalik Bomar of Cincinnati, everything Johnson did for the Hurricanes was necessary to pull out the victory.

Michael Mauti was all over the field on a historic day in Penn State football history.

The Nittany Lions’ Week 5 win against Illinois marked the first conference victory for new head coach Bill O’Brien, as well as the first road win for a new Penn State head coach (non-interim) since Oct. 22, 1966.

Yes, that “new” head coach was Joe Paterno.

Also, Mauti ranks No. 3 in FBS with 105 interception return yards (through Week 5), all of which came in this game.

Defensive Back: Rashaad Reynolds (No. 14/17 Oregon State)

I thought Jordan Poyer would be the only star on Oregon State’s defense in 2012. Boy, the Beavers proved me wrong in Week 5. Then again, they are proving much of the college football world wrong this season.

Rashaad Reynolds was a more productive defensive back than Poyer, as Reynolds led the team in both tackles and passes defended.

A note to Pac-12 quarterbacks: if you try to avoid Poyer, Reynolds can make you pay.

You could argue Byron Moore should not have made this list, but considering the situation in which Moore got an interception return touchdown, he is certainly worthy.

Moore tied the game at 7-7 in the first quarter of what turned out to be an excellent first half between Tennessee and Georgia. The Volunteers were visiting the No. 5 team in the country, and a victory would have surely catapulted them back into the Top 25.

In addition, head coach Derek Dooley might have been fighting to keep his job. (I believe Dooley should not be on the hot seat just yet, but I digress).

Of course, Tennessee lost, crushing hopes of returning to the Top 25 and keeping Dooley on the hot seat. Returning an interception for a touchdown in a big spot, on the road, against a Top-5 team that features arguably the best quarterback in the SEC—that still means something to me.

With that said, Moore is here over other defensive backs with more eye-popping statistics.

Defensive Back: Deone Bucannon (Washington State)

Not too many players who have faced Oregon in 2012 have given the Ducks fits, but Deone Bucannon was one of them in Week 5. Though Washington State lost the game, Bucannon was a ball hawk for the Cougars.

Washington State’s pass defense held Oregon’s pass offense below its season averages in most categories. Bucannon’s two interceptions helped with that achievement.

The Ducks still won the game easily, but the Cougars gave them what I would consider a relative challenge based on the season Oregon has had through Week 5.